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The 2025 WNBA Offseason: Key Moves and Future Prospects
The busiest time of the WNBA offseason is here as free agents meet with prospective teams, leading up to Feb. 1, when they can sign contracts. The prospects of a new collective bargaining agreement will heavily influence this season’s free agency, with stars expected to change uniforms and championship contenders reshaping their rosters. Follow along for news and analysis of moves that could reshape the league.
Grading the Moves
Connecticut Sun acquires Lindsay Allen and rights to Nikolina Milić
This move earns a D- for Connecticut. Though Allen can mentor Jacy Sheldon, she is a journeywoman with limited experience, and Milić has had minimal impact in her two WNBA seasons. If Connecticut’s goal was to get worse for this season to secure a better draft pick, the team shouldn’t have traded with Chicago, who has first-round pick rights to swap with Connecticut in 2026.
Chicago Sky receives Rebecca Allen
Chicago’s grade is A for this pick. Although Rebecca Allen is on a protected deal worth $160,000 in 2025, she contributes significant shooting and could play multiple positions. The trade is advantageous as it helps Chicago’s defense and adds flexibility to an already solid roster.
Dallas Wings and Connecticut Sun trade players
The Sun’s trade for Jacy Sheldon earns an A-. The deal replenishes the pipeline with a promising young guard while giving the team two additional draft picks. Young talent and more draft equity are crucial for rebuilding.
The Wings receive DiJonai Carrington, a versatile guard with strong defensive abilities and potential for development. The trade is rated A- for Dallas, providing depth and scoring versatility to its backcourt.
Phoenix Mercury acquires Satou Sabally
The Mercury’s grade is A+ for acquiring Sabally. The team managed to secure a top-five player with a single first-rounder, Ty Harris, Sophie Cunningham, and Mikiah Herbert Harrigan. This deal significantly strengthens their frontcourt while improving depth.
The Indiana Fever are rated B+ for the swap. Acquiring Natasha Cunningham offers a versatile forward, offset slightly by surrendering a first-round pick.
The Dallas Wings receive Harris, NaLyssa Smith, Sevgi Uzun, and Herbert Harrigan, but the grade is D. Trading out Sabally for these younger players feels like a poor return, especially considering the enduring value of Sabally in future seasons.
Free-Agent Acquisitions and Grades
Atlanta Dream signs Bri Jones and Brittney Griner
The Dream receives Bri Jones and Brittney Griner, rated B+. Jones brings considerable talent and a strong center presence, though her fit with a transition-focused offense could be questioned. Adding Griner provides defensive depth and court awareness.
Brittney Griner’s acquisition seems B, offering potential at center without fitting seamlessly with the Dream’s fast-paced ideology. However, her performance adds value, and the team’s focus remains centered on rebuilding.
Indiana Fever re-signs Kelsey Mitchell
Indiana receives an A for re-signing Kelsey Mitchell. The guard’s loyalty and performance make her a key player for the franchise’s future success.
Phoenix Mercury signs Alyssa Thomas and Ty Harris
The Sun secures a high-quality return with Natasha Cloud and Rebecca Allen, earning an A. Cloud is a top-five point guard, and Allen is a versatile veteran wing.
Phoenix Mercury’s grade is B- for the deal, receiving valuable talent but potentially underprepared for the remaining off-season roster building.
Seattle Storm trade Jewell Loyd for Kelsey Plum and a draft pick
The Storm’s trade is rated A, converting a declining player into high draft-value assets and valuable picks.
The Sparks receive Plum, achieving B-, taking a major risk on a declining guard’s future commitment to the team.
The Aces receive Loyd, but the trade is rated C, as Plum is better positioned defensively and offensively, and the draft pick exchange might not be as advantageous.
The Impact of CBA Negotiations
While some free agents may sign multiyear deals, the economic windfall expected in the new collective bargaining agreement could lead to more one-year contracts. This year’s off-season might see an unprecedented amount of change as players re-enter the market next season with potential salary increases.
It’s official ✅
Check out the full list of 2025 Unrestricted Free Agents, Core Players, Restricted Free Agents, & Reserved Players #WNBAFreeAgency ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/KGp33D4ESf
— WNBA (@WNBA) January 22, 2025
Key Free Agents to Watch
Satou Sabally
Sabally informs the Dallas Wings of her intent to leave and is cored, making a sign-and-trade necessary for any move.
DiJonai Carrington
A restricted free agent, Carrington’s situation is similar to that of a cored player, likely signing on a one-year contract or part of a sign-and-trade.
Top 20 Impact Players at the Start of Free Agency
| Rank | Player | Team |
|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Breanna Stewart* |
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2 |
Alyssa Thomas* |
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|
3 |
Satou Sabally* |
|
|
4 |
Nneka Ogwumike |
|
|
5 |
Emma Meesseman |
|
|
6 |
Brionna Jones |
|
|
7 |
Kelsey Mitchell* |
|
|
8 |
Kelsey Plum* |
|
|
9 |
DeWanna Bonner |
|
|
10 |
Brittney Griner |
|
|
11 |
DiJonai Carrington** |
|
|
12 |
Chennedy Carter |
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|
13 |
Gabby Williams* |
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|
14 |
Tiffany Hayes |
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15 |
Tina Charles |
|
|
16 |
Natasha Howard |
|
|
17 |
Courtney Vandersloot |
|
|
18 |
Alysha Clark |
|
|
19 |
Natisha Hiedeman |
|
|
20 |
Shatori Walker-Kimbrough* |
*Player is cored
**Player is restricted
Important Free-Agent Dates
From January 11 to January 20, teams can extend qualifying offers. Negotiations open from January 21, with contracts officially signed by February 1.
Understanding Cored Players
A cored designation gives a team exclusive negotiation rights for a player to prevent them from becoming an unrestricted free agent. The team must make a one-year deal worth the supermax salary, and the player can refuse if a better offer comes.
Core designated players this offseason include Breanna Stewart, Kelsey Mitchell, Satou Sabally, Kelsey Plum, Alyssa Thomas, and Gabby Williams.
How Teams Will Value Draft Picks
Teams guard their first-round picks closely, especially in an uncertain salary landscape. The upcoming CBA could change rookie minimums and slotting regulations, making this year’s picks the most valuable.
Golden State, with extensive cap room, could be a trade partner for teams looking to offload supermax contracts or high-value free agents.
GO DEEPER
How the Golden State Valkyries constructed their first WNBA roster
Free-Agency Predictions
Breanna Stewart leads a deep pool of free agents, featuring multiple former MVPs and multi-time All-Stars. Stewart has announced her return to the New York Liberty, while other teams seek to disrupt the defending champions.
GO DEEPER
WNBA free-agency predictions: Kelsey Plum to the Storm, Satou Sabally to the Liberty
(Illustration: Will Tullos / The Athletic; photos of Jewell Loyd, Breanna Stewart and Alyssa Thomas: Barry Gossage / Getty Images, David Berding / Getty Images)
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